Motor-propelled vehicle.



PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906.

W. S. JOHNSON. MOTOR PROPELLED V EHIGLB.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10.1904.

6 SHBETS-SHEET l.

flnventor:

Ettorneg w No. 813,218. PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906. W. S. JOHNSON.

MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10.1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Tlnventor '1 winesees I v} (Q 5W my mtomena) No. 813,213. PATENTED FEB.20, 1906. W. S. JOHNSON.

MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10.1904.

6 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

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Wmflb (E A No. 813,213. PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906, W. S. JOHNSON. MOTORPROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.10,1904.

atboznuN No. 813,213. PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906. W. S. JOHNSON.

MOTOR PROPELLBD VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 10.1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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\ PATENTED FEB. 20, 1906. W. S. JOHNSON.

MOTOR PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 10.1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6 UNITED STATES PATENT orieron.

llflOTflR PlRwpELLED VEHECLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1906.

Application filed November 1904. Serial No. 232,165.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN S. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United-States,residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMotor-Propelled Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to power-propelled vehicles, and is designed toafford convenient means and adequate power for steering or turning heavyvehicles-such as warehousetrucks, vans, and large passenger-vehiclesquickly, certainly, and in small space.

The invention is intended more particularly for that class of vehiclesin which the motor is carried by a forward truck to the wheels ofwhichthe power is applied and which is connected with the body of the vehiole by a turn-table or fifth-wheel.

Between the engine or motor and the ground-wheels, to which the power isapplied, there is interposed differential gear through which the twowheels may be driven simul taneously and equally or either wheel aloneor the two wheels at d fferent speeds. In connection with the partsalready indicated there is employed means for holding or retardingeither wheel at will and means for looking the turn-table when desiredagainst rotation relatively to the vehicle-body. By holding one wheeland driving the other the driven or the more rapidly driven wheel can bemade to travel or circle about the other, and thus to turn or direct thevehicle as desired.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in two forms orembodiments, the first having a divided main axle to which the power isdirectly applied and the other employing a divided counter-shaft throughwhich power is transmitted from the motor to the ground-wheels. inpractice the latter construction will ordinarily be adopted, par

ticularly for heavy vehicles; but the first form is perhaps more readilyunderstood and is illustrated primarily for that reason.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle embodyingmy invention, portions being broken away and others wholly omitted toshow more clearly those parts material to the ensuing description; Fig.2, a horizontal sectional view taken just below the turn-table andlooking down upon the parts beneath it; Fig. 3, a partly-sectional viewof the differential-gear box used with this embodiment of the invention;Fig. 4, a perspective view of the mechanism in its preferred form orwith a counter-shaft interposed between the motor and the groundwheels;Fig. 5, a top plan view of the mechanism below the turn-table andwagon-body, the body of the vehicle being indicated by dotted lines;Fig. 6, a vertical section from front to rear on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5;Fig. 7, a view of one of the brakes or wheel-holding bands; Fig. 8, avertical section along the line of and parallel with the main axle; Fig.9, a sectional view of the differential-gear casing in aslightly-different form from that shown in Fig. 3.

Heavy motor-propelled vehicles require the application of considerablepower to con trol and direct their movements, and it is essential,particularly in crowded thoroughfares, narrow lanes, streets, or alleys,and like places that adequate power he always at hand and available forsuch purposes. It is likewise highly important that the vehicle becapable of turning in small space, backing, or pursuing a winding courseamong other vehicles and past obstructions. The present invention isprimarily intended to meet and fulfil these conditions and requirementsand in practical use is found to do so in an eminent degree.

With this statement of the purposes of the invention I will proceed todescribe it as embodied in working form, referring first to Figs. 1, 2,and 3.

A indicates a vehicle-body of any desired type or pattern, the rear endof which is provided with an axle B and ground-wheels C after the mannerof an ordinary wagon, springs being employed or not, as preferred.

D indicates a turn-table or large fifth-wheel constituting the platformof a forward truck.

\ This turn-table has its periphery seated in an annular guide orsupporting ring E, bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the floor ofthe vehicle-body, said guide or ring being formed or furnished with, 3.depending flange or rim (1, as seen in Fig. 1, against which-bearclamping-shoes of a clutch or locking mechanism.

designed to hold the turn-table at proper times against rotation withinits supportingring E.

The turn-table is formed or provided with arms b, having depending eyes0 to receive bolts d, on which are hung links carrying the ends ofsprings F, here represented as of the leaf construction common toheavy-wheeled degree of resilience an vehicles, though other forms ofspring may be employed if desired or they may be wholly omitted. Thesprings are provided vith boxes or bearings e, in which are carried androtate the two sections and g of a divided front axle G, respectivelyfurnished with ground-wheels H and I, made fast thereon, as is sometimesdone with the power-receiving axle of motor-vehicles.

The proximate ends of the axle-sections are connected by difierentialgearing of any common or approved type, here represented as comprisingtwo bevel-gears J and K, carried, respectively, by the two axle-sectionsand connected by interposed pinions L, carried by a ring, hoop, or shellM, encircling the gears J K, said pinions being rotatable upon journalsor axles carried by the shelland arranged radially to the axis of thefront axle G. The circumference of the hoop or ring M is represented asprovided with teeth -or sproc 'ets to receive a driving-chain N, throughwhich power is, transmitted from any suitable motor carried by theforward truck or its turn-table; but it may have gear-teeth to mesh witha'driving-gear or be smooth to receive a driving-belt or be driven by afriction-wheel.v

Axle-section f is provided with a wheel or drum 0 to receive abrake-band P, and section 9 is similarly provided with a wheel or dum Qto receive a brake-band R. One end of each brake-band is made fast to acrossbar S or other rigid portion of the forward truck, while the otherend of each is furnished with a draw-rod. These rods are designated as hand i, respectively, and each is formed with a slot in its outer endportion, as seen inlFigs. 1 and 2. v

T indicates a vertical shaft suitably supported in the turn-table or ina tubular post or standard carried thereby, the lower extremity beingadvisably mounted in a second support to prevent its springing in use.At or near its lower end the shaft T carries a cross-bar U, which at itsouter ends carries pins or bolts k, which enter or ass through the slotsj of the draw-rods h an i, respectively. The slots are of such lengththat when the cross-bar U is perpendicular to the length or the normalline or movement of the vehicle the pins or bolts 7c are a little awayfrom the forward ends of said slots, thus leaving the brake-bands P andIt free to spring and to stand normally away from their respectivewheels or drums. These bands may be made of steel or othe'r metalossessing a suitable d of strength, and it will be found advisable toface or line them with leather or like material, as is usually done withsuch bands.

,Shaft T is bent to form a crank Z at a point below the turntable, whichcrankis connected-by a link-or rod m with a pin or bolt carried by onearm of an cscillatlngjoar V,

' siaaie fulcrumed midway between its ends at a point coincident withthe center of the turntable, or thereabout. Each arm of the bar V is inturn connected by a link or rod n with a radially-movable rod 0,supported and guided in a block p on the under side of the turn-table,and each rod 0 carries a shoe or friction plate g to bear against thedepending rim 0, of the guide-ring E. The purpose of this arrangement isto cause the turn-table to be locked or held against turning within orrelatively to the ring E whenever the steering-lever T of shaft T is inits normal or medial position. If said lever be swung from said normalmedial position a distance sufficient to tighten either brake band P orR upon its drum or wheel, the, turn table will be unlocked or made freeand the vehicle may be bodily turned in the desired direction.

It will be noticed that as the bar U draws upon one rod h its oppositeend merely carries its pin or bolt 7c backward in the slot of the otherdraw-rod, and hence exerts no influence thereon.

The mechanism being thus constructed its operation will be as follows:Assuming that it be desired to turn'the vehicle to the left, thesteering handle or lever is swung to the left, thereby unlocking orunclamping the turntable and simultaneously tightening the lefthandbrake-band R, so as to hold the axlesection g and Wheel I againstrotation or to retard its rotation, as desired. Bevel-gear K being fastupon said axle-section will also be held, and consequently the pinions Lcarried around by the hoop or ring M will travel over said Wheel K andgive motion to bevel-gear J, which being fast upon axle-section f willturn said section and the'groundwheel II. This will cause the wheel H totravel in a circular path, of which the bearing-point of wheel I uponthe ground is the center, and the vehicle-body will thus be carried tothe left until the wheel H describes a half-circle, unless before thattime the lever T is moved to release the brake-drum Q. When such releaseis effected, the two axlesections will rotate alike and the wheels H andI will advance equally, the body of the vehi,

cle promptly straightening or trailing, so as to bring the rear wheelsinto alinement with said wheels H and I. to the right, the lever T isswung in that direction, and the right-hand section of the axle andwheels H and I will be held, the action being the same as before, butwith the righthand groups of parts instead of the lefthand. By holdingeither wheel and continuing the other in motion the latter can be madeto describe a complete circle about the former and to continue so doing,the vehiclebody moving slightly forward and backward and swinging fromside to side at the forward end. When running in a straight line, thebrakebands are released, the turn-table If it be desired to turn .ionll,

is clamped or locked, and the vehicle acts any ordinary wheeled vehiclemight do. It will be observed that the entire driving power is in thisway made available at any instant to effect a steering and control ofthe vehicle, the steering being effected through-the propelling-wheels.

In practice it is desirable, because economice] of fuel and water andinvolving comparatively small weight of machinery, boiler, &c., toemploy a comparatively small motorand to gear up to the driving-wheelsto secure the requisite power. This is especially true where the vehicleis intended for hauling or carrying heavy loads. I therefore usuallyinterpose between the motor and the groundwheels a divided intermediateor counter shaft and apply the differential gearing thereto, as will nowbe explained in connection with Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive. In thesefigures all parts identical in construction and arrangement withcorresponding parts of the preceding figures are lettered the same. ThusA is the body of the vehicle; B,'the rear axle,

provided with ground-wheels C; D, a turn-table supported and turning ina ring or annular guide E, provided with a depending flange orclamping-surf ace a; F F. springs connected by links and bolts or pins 0and (Zwith bracketarms I) of the turn-table, and G a front axle upon andby which said springs are supported. In the present instance the frontaxle G is a fixed or non-rotating axle in one piece, and the wheels Hand I are free to'rotate upon its spindles after the manner of ordinarywagonwheels. Wheel H is provided with a gearwheel e and brake-wheel f,which may be made integral or separate, as found convenient, being hererepresented as carried by a common sleeve and connected with wheel H bybracket-arms bolted thereto. Similarly, wheel I is furnished with agear-wheel g and brake-wheel 71., both rigidly connected with said wheelI, as indicated. Rotary motion is imparted to wheels H and I throughpinions j and l", carried by sections Z and m of a divided or two-partcounter-shaft G Shaft-section Z is provided with a bevel-gear J, andsection at with a like gear K, and between these gears are bevel-pinionsL, havmg axles carried by a shell or casing M, swiveled upon the shaftG". as shown in Fig. 9. Upon the periphery of shell M are formedgear-teeth, as seen in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, designed to mesh with theteeth of an'idler-pin loosely mounted upon the axle G, and in turnmeshing with and rotated by a pinion I of any suitable motor J, carriedby the turn-table D. The outerend of shaftsection Z carries a pinion n,which meshes with gear '0 of wheel ll, and the outer end ofshaft-section m carries a pinion e, which meshes with gearj" of wheel I.

A steering handle or lever T, carried bya vertical cranked shaft T, isemployed to steer as l the vehicle, as in the first-described embodimentof the invention. The crank of said shaft is connected by a rod m withone arm of a cross bar or lever V, both arms of which are connected bylinks a with rods or stems 0, sliding through blocks or guides 11 andcarrying shoes 9, which when the lever T is in its normal or medialposition bear against depending rim or'fia nge a and lock the turn-tablerigidly to the vehicle-body. This mechanism being unchanged need not befurther described. Lever T serves also to apply the brake bands orstraps by which the wheels H I are held or retarded one at a time. Toaccomplish this result, -I provide for the brake wheel or hub f a bandor strap 1) and for brake wheel or hub 71. a band or strap 9, each madefast at a point between its ends to a fixed support, which mayconveniently be a bracket held by the bolts or yokes which clamp thespring to the axle. Brake band or strap 12 has its extremitiesconnected, respectively, to one end and at the mid-length of a lever r,and bandq has its ends similarly attached to a lover s. Lever r isconnected by a rod t to one arm of an elbow-lever u, and lever s isconnected by a rod 1) to one arm of an elbow-lever w, which levers arefulcrumed upon suitable fixed supports, here represented as verticalrods ac, extending down from the turn-table D, but which may obviouslybe any convenient fixture.

From the second arm of lever u a draw rod y extends to the crankedportion of crank-shaft T, its end being formed with an elon ated eye oropening 3 to receive the crank, and in like manner the second end ofelbow-lever w is connected by a rod 2 with the cranked portion of shaftT, said rod having an elongated eye 'or opening 2 for the crank, all asshown in Figs. 4 and 5.

When steering-handle T is in its normal medial position, the crankstands at or near the end of each eye 2 the brake-bands being thenexpanded and exerting no pressure upon their hubs. If now thesteering-lever be moved to one side to cause the vehicle to turn in thatdirection, the cranked portion of shaft T will draw upon one of the rodsy or 2, as the case may be, but will merely traverse the eye or slot ofthe other rod, and hence will tighten one band and leave the otherunaffected. This will take place whichever way the lever is swung, butdrawing upon first one and then the other rod as the lever is moved toone or the other side of its normal position. The effect is preciselythe same as before explained, the ground-wheel H or I being held fast orretarded and, through the gearing, holding the section of the counter-.haft associated therewith. As the shaftsection, and consequently thebevel ear upon it, is held, said gear becomes, in effect, a fixed orslowly-moving rack upon which the bevel-pmions of the differential geartravel, thereby imparting more rapid motionl rotation; and intermediateconnections sub to the gear of the other shaft-section and itsassociated ground-wheel, causing the latter to circle about the held orretarded wheel, as

explained. By moving the lever to one or the other side the forwardtruck can be made to turn as desired,'the body of the vehicle trailingafter the truck and coming into line, whereupon the turn-table will belocked or clamped until further turning is required.

It is particularly to be noted that under my construction the power ofthe motor is applied through suitable gearing to the forward wheels andthat in turning one or the other wheel (or both) will be positivelydriven or rotated and one caused to circle about its companion, whicheither stands at rest or turns more slowly and describes a smallercircle. It is likewise to be noted that the forward truck thus affords asupport and a draft device for the body of the vehicle (which trailsafter it) and constitutes the steering mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. Incombinationwith the body of a vehicle, a turn-table a divided driving-shaft carriedby said turn-table; a motor for imparting rotation to said shaft;differential gear inter posed between the motor and the shaft-sections;ground-wheels connected with the respective shaft-sections; and meanswhereby either wheel may be temporarily held against rotation while theother is left free to turn.

2. In a vehicle, the combination of a'mo tor and a divideddriving-shaft; differential gear connecting the motor with theshaftsections; ground-wheels connected with and driven by said sections;and brakes or holding devices, one for each of said wheels, each adaptedto hold its wheel against rotation or to retard such rotation.

3. In combination with a vehicle, comprising a body, having rear wheelsto rest normally upon the ground, and a front swiveled truck providedwith a divided driving-shaft; a motor for rotating said shaft;ground-wheels connected with and rotated by the respective sections ofsaid shaft; and means substan tially such as described for holdingagainst rotation either ground-wheel while permitting the other torotate under the power of the motor.

4. In combination with the body of a vehicle provided with rear wheelsto rest normally on the ground and support the vehicle, a turn-tablemounted in and adapted to turn relatively to the vehicle-body; a dividedshaft carried by said turn-table a motor for rotating said shaft;ground-wheels connected with and adapted to be rotated by the respectivesections of said shaft; brakes or holding devices serving to holdagainst rotation the driven ground-wheels; clamping or holding devicesadapted to hold the turn-table against 5. In combination with a divideddriviii shaft, and ground-wheels of a motorvehic e connected with androtated by the respective sections of said shaft, brakes or holdingdevices, one for each of said wheels; a motor for rotating the shaft;differential gear interposed between the motor and said shaft; anoperating-lever for the brakes or holding devices; and connectionsbetween said e and brakes or holding devices, whereby when the lever isin its medial position both brakes are made free, and whereby, when thelever is thrown in direction to apply either brake, it is precluded fromalso applying the other brake.

6. In combination with the body A of a vehicle, an annular support Ecarried thereby; a turn-table D rotatably mounted in said annularsupport; an axle carried by the turntable; ground wheels mounted uponsaid axle; braking or clamping shoes (1 carried by the turn-table andadapted to press. against the support E a lever; connections betweensaid lever and the shoes g, whereby the latter may be forced into orwithdrawn from frictional contact with the support E; a motor; andconnections between the motor and the ground-wheels whereby either orboth of said wheels may be positively driven by the motor.

7. In a vehicle, the combination with the body. of the turn-table D andits supportingring E; outwardly-movable rods 0, provided with shoes g tobear against the support E; a cross-head V pivotally attached to theturntable D rods a connecting said cross-head with the rods 0; acrank-shaft T provided with a steering handle or lever; and rods mconnecting the cranked portion of said shaft with the cross-head V. r

8. In combination with the body of a vehicle, a ring or annular supportE carried thereby; a turn-table D rotatable in said support; a dividedshaft carried by said turn-table; ground-wheels supporting saidturn-table; connections between said ground-wheels and the respectiveshaft-sections, whereby the wheels are driven; a motor; differentialgear connecting the motor with the shaft-sections; brakes or holdingdevices serving to hold or re tard the respective ground-wheelsindependently; a cross-head pivotally attached to the nection betweensaid cranked portion of the shaft and the cross-head pivoted to theturntable and also between said shaft and the brake-shoes or holdingdevices, adapted t permit either brake to be. thrown into clampingaction without affecting the other brake, substantially as set forth.

9. In combination with a vehicle, front and rear ground wheels therefor;a motor connected with and serving to positively and independentlyrotate the front wheels; and brakes or holding devices adapted andarranged to brake or hold either front wheel at will, whereby the otheris adapted to circle about the retarded wheel by reason of the powerapplied to the driven wheel, and thus to turn the vehicle or change thedirection of its movement.

10. In combination with a vehicle, front and rear ground-wheelstherefor; a turn-table interposed between the front wheels and thevehicle-body; a motor serving to positively and independently rotatesaid front wheels;

brakes or holding devices adapted and arranged to brake or hold eitherdriven Wheel at will; and means for locking the turn-table againstturning relatively to the vehiclebod lf In a vehicle, the combinationwith a body and rear supporting-wheels, of a for ward truck swiveled inor rotatable relatively to said body and provided with groundwheels; amotor serving to positively and independently rotate the wheels of saidtruck; and brakes or holding devices adapted and arranged to brake orhold either of said ground-wheels at will, and permit the other tocircle about it under the power of the motor. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my 40 name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WARREN S. JOHNSON. Witnesses:

I-IENRY J. MENGEL, CLIFFORD A. LoEw.

